OUR STRATEGIC PLAN 2020-2023
January 2021: Sterling is pleased to announce that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has approved our revised mission statement and guiding principles. This process began in May 2019 with the LHU Board, administrators and staff collaborating on our Sterling’s strategic goals for the next few years.
OUR MISSION
The mission of Sterling Montessori is to create a diverse educational community, grounded in the Montessori philosophy and teaching practices, that fosters curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in its students. We strive to empower each student to become life-long learners who respect themselves, others and their environment.
For more information on the Montessori Methods, please visit our Montessori Education Page
OUR VISION
Sterling Montessori is a model charter school that demonstrates how the Montessori Method and a commitment to academic excellence helps students reach their full potential.
We envision a sustainable, accessible, and diverse institution that graduates thriving students who are engaged in lifelong learning and are empowered to become positive, contributing members of their immediate and global communities.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Sterling Montessori follows the philosophy and teaching practices based on the Montessori Method developed by Dr. Maria Montessori (1870- 1952). Montessori education emphasizes learning through all five senses.
Children learn at their own pace with a goal of nurturing a natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect. A child’s work at Sterling Montessori is an exciting process of discovery leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.
Montessori classrooms have three-year multi-age groups (ages 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and 12-15) together, forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger children. The Montessori method of education is a child- centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children. Children develop physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively in order to thrive in the real world.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Sterling Montessori...
- nurtures in its children a lifelong love of learning and respect for themselves and others, in a peaceful environment
- follows the philosophy and curriculum of Maria Montessori as the cornerstone of the educational programs. The Montessori curriculum is scientifically based and meets the requirements of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the Office of Charter Schools
- has an aesthetically pleasing campus and is an interactive extension of the classroom by offering a prepared and sustainable environment for children
- has prepared environments that are developmentally appropriate and provide hands-on learning, freedom of choice, a mixed-age classroom, the absence of rewards and punishments, uninterrupted work periods, and individualized instruction that supports each child’s growth
- views diversity as a strength where every individual is welcomed, treated with respect, and supported in their own educational journey. Our diverse population is celebrated and enriches our students' cultural education so that they learn to value differences and listen respectfully to a variety of ideas as a step towards supporting a more peaceful world
- understands that to follow a child with learning differences might require additional expertise and implementing a specialized learning plan in addition to the Montessori curriculum
- is a community where the voices of children, parents, and staff are valued and all members are active participants in creating an ideal learning environment for all
- in pursuit of our mission and goals, is a financially sustainable institution, whose leadership models transparency, accountability, and professionalism for its staff
